Andrew Eccles won a premiership in the Victorian State League's under 18 TAC Cup competition with Preston Knights (Northern Knights) playing alongside Brett Zorzi, before being drafted by the Adelaide Crows in 1996. Selected at pick number 60 in the AFL National Draft, Norwood then snared the 17 year-old in the SANFL mini-draft with their number one pick.

Eccles made his SANFL debut for Norwood in 1997, but played most of that season in the Reserves.

He made his AFL debut in 1998 and had the distinction of winning a AFL flag in his first year. However persistent leg injuries affected his form during his time with Adelaide.

The versatile Eccles eventually only played 20 League games for Norwood over five seasons mainly due to a series of leg injuries and AFL commitments.

After four seasons and 41 games with the Crows, Eccles was traded to Carlton, ironically for Kris Massie, who also ended up playing for Norwood, after the Redlegs picked him up in the 2002 Mini-draft.

After returning to Victoria, Eccles played another 13 games for Carlton between 2002 and 2003. He later he moved to the North Ballarat Football Club in the VFL after being delisted by Carlton.